Ophelia's sight became blurry as she gulped down the last liquid in the glass in her grasp. She could feel the effects of the strong drink taking hold.
It was the first time she had ever drank any alcohol since she became Ophelia, and she couldn't help but enjoy it when she grasped a glass of alcohol.
It made her feel a sense of liberation and rebellion, a stark contrast to the constraints she had grown accustomed to.
She sighed inwardly as she felt the warmth of the liquid spread through her veins.
She feels like she can do anything in her current condition, but she knew deep down that what she felt was only a temporary boost of confidence from the alcohol.
She placed the glass on a table and walked towards the terrace to enjoy the cool night breeze and contemplate her current state of mind. She couldn't help but think about how her life had changed since she became Ophelia.
Her life has been enjoyable, and she can do the things she wants without being restrained by financial problems.
Money is really the best!
She walked out onto the terrace and gazed up at the starry sky, feeling a sense of peace and wonder. She closes her eyes and feels the cold wind brush against her skin, refreshing her state of mind.
As she stood there, she realized that her transformation into Ophelia had not only brought financial freedom but also a newfound sense of inner peace.
The weight of her past worries seemed to have lifted, allowing her to fully embrace the present moment and appreciate the simple joys of life.
Ophelia opened her eyes and met the gaze of the person standing next to her.
Her eyes grew wide, and she stepped back in surprise.
She didn't feel the person's presence until now. It might be because of intoxication or simply because she was so lost in her thoughts.
The person beside her was a man in his early twenties. He was tall and had a strong build. He was staring at her with a curious expression, as if he had been observing her for some time.
"My apologies for surprising you. But I came here before you," he said, with a friendly smile.
"I hope I didn't startle you," he added.
Ophelia glanced at his face before moving closer again to the railing of the terrace, putting a decent distance between them.
"I should be the one who needs to apologize," she replied softly.
"Should I leave, sir?" she asked, feeling a mix of embarrassment and uncertainty.
He shook his head. "No, you don't have to go anywhere. You can stay here."
"Alright," she said, feeling a sense of relief wash over her.
Both of them stayed silent as they gazed at the starry night. The silence between them was filled with a gentle breeze, rustling the leaves of nearby trees.
Ophelia couldn't help but feel a sense of calm settle over her, as if the night sky was offering solace to her troubled heart.
As silence envelopes them for a few minutes, Ophelia can't help but be curious about the man beside him.
She secretly took a glance at the man beside her, trying to catch a glimpse of his appearance.
His profile was partially illuminated by the soft moonlight, revealing strong, chiseled features that intrigued her even more.
Ophelia wondered what thoughts were occupying his mind as they both lost themselves in the beauty of the night sky.
Now that she has a clear view of his appearance, the man beside her appears to be well-dressed and handsome. He has dark hair as dark as midnight, neatly styled and combed back. And his eyes... are a piercing shade of blue, like the depths of the ocean.
Ophelia hasn't realized she was staring openly at the man when he turns to her and meets a pair of piercing blue eyes that seem to hold a universe of secrets.
Her eyes grow wide with intrigue and curiosity, unable to tear her gaze away from his captivating stare.
His appearance reminded her of someone.
"I hate that look in your eyes," the man beside him said without tearing away his eyes from hers.
"What?" she stammered, caught off guard by his words.
Her heart skipped a beat as she tried to make sense of his unexpected comment.
The man's words echoed in her mind, leaving her with a lingering sense of unease and curiosity about the connection he seemed to imply.
"The look of nostalgia and reminiscence," he continued, sending a chill down her spine.
"As far as I remember, we haven't met before," he said, his voice filled with a mix of confusion and curiosity.
"However, from the way you look at me as if you're looking at someone you knew, I know we didn't meet before unless..." he paused and stepped forward with a sudden realization. "Unless you're thinking about someone else rather than me," he concluded, feeling a pang of disappointment.
Ophelia felt her heartbeat beat fast and gulped, feeling an unknown tenseness building between them.
The man stepped back, and his solemn expression faded away, replaced by a warm smile.
"I'm curious about who the individual you remembered when looking at me was," he said, his voice filled with genuine interest.
Ophelia blinked in surprise, not expecting him to ask such a question, before mustering a smile in return.
Ophelia's cheeks flushed as she tried to gather her thoughts.
She hesitated for a moment before finally mustering the courage to speak. "There is someone else—someone from my past who bears a striking resemblance to you."
Her voice trembled with a mix of nostalgia and uncertainty, unsure of how he would react to her confession.
Well, she did think the hero was a fine man, but after meeting him in person, Ophelia realized he was the complete opposite.
"You have that look in your eyes again. You thought of him while we were talking," he said with a hint of bitterness.
She couldn't deny it.
"My lady - "
"Ophelia," she interjected. "Ophelia is my name," she replied, correcting him.
"Yes, Ophelia. This might be out of nowhere, but I'm the type of person that, whenever I talk to someone, I want them to focus their attention on me only," the man said calmly, looking directly into her eyes.
"And what you're doing violates that. I don't like it."
He added firmly, her gaze unwavering. "I believe in giving my full attention to the person I'm speaking with, and I expect the same in return. It's disrespectful to think of someone else while engaged in a conversation."
Ophelia can't come up with a word to defend herself. She realizes that she has been guilty of this disrespectful behavior.
Ophelia nodded, understanding his perspective.
She realized that he valued genuine and undivided attention in his interactions, which she respected. As they continued their conversation, she made a mental note to be more present and attentive when talking to him in the future.
"My apology for not giving you my full attention during our conversation." Ophelia sincerely apologized, acknowledging that she had been distracted and not fully engaged in their previous conversation.
He smiled at her. "I forgive you, but please make sure to be more mindful and present in the future."
The man glanced at the ball. "I'll excuse myself, Ophelia. You can have the place for yourself. Enjoy," the man said before leaving her alone before she could even respond.
Her eyes followed the man's figure until he disappeared around the corner, feeling a mix of relief and regret.
She couldn't help but feel curious about the mysterious man.
As she stood there alone, Ophelia's mind started to wander, wondering what the man's story might be. She couldn't shake off the feeling that there was something intriguing about him—something that piqued her curiosity even more.
"Ah! I didn't get his name!" she exclaimed in frustration.
She wondered if she would ever see him again, but he did say something about meeting again in the future. She held onto the hope that their paths would cross once more.
That means that the man's identity must match Ophelia's social circle for them to meet again. If not, she may never be able to meet him again.
Ophelia pondered over the possibilities, wondering if they had any mutual friends or acquaintances.
She realized that the chances of their paths crossing again would greatly depend on their shared connections and social circles. If they moved in different circles, it would be much harder for them to meet again.
If their social circles do intersect, there may be a chance for them to meet again in the future.
---
After the ball, the next morning Ophelia felt her head pounding with a splitting headache. It was the result of the amount of alcohol she consumed the previous night.
She regretted her excessive drinking and vowed to be more mindful of her alcohol intake in the future. Ophelia's throbbing headache served as a reminder of the consequences of her actions and the need for moderation.
Because of her condition, she stayed inside her room and didn't have the chance to go out.
She was planning to stay at her current location to enjoy the beach life even more, but her plans were ruined due to the urgent message that Dante sent her.
Dante asked her to cancel her plans for now and meet him at the manor in the capital. She reluctantly agreed, realizing that there must be something important going on.
Once her condition improved, they immediately left for the capital.
Ophelia made a guess about the next event coming up.
Based on the information she read in the novel, the next important event was the grand ball at the palace.
It was a grand ball to welcome the delegation led by the Crown Prince of the Bosom Kingdom. That event where the three main characters meet in the same place.
Ophelia was excited about what would happen after the changes in the story.
Will the crown prince still approach the heroine despite her engagement? If not, how will it affect the dynamics between the main characters?
Ophelia couldn't wait to see if the crown prince and the heroine would still meet in the same place.
***